ABOUT US
The IMW’s mission is to foster excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. As well as running the MW study programme, our programme of worldwide events offers unparalleled opportunities to taste and learn. These tastings and seminars, including our international symposium, are open for anyone to attend – you don’t have to be a Master of Wine to join in.
FIND AN MW
The IMW’s directory of Masters of Wine allows you to search not just by name, but also by skills and specialisms. MWs are active all over the world and in all fields; MWs are winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. If you are looking for an MW in a particular country, expert comment on a specific style of wine, a speaker for your event, or experienced commercial advice, look no further.
THE MW EXAM
The MW exam tests the breadth and depth of a candidate’s theoretical knowledge and tasting skills in the art, science and business of wine. By passing the MW exam, you become a member of the IMW, gain the title Master of Wine and can use the initials MW after your name. The MW exam is a series of tasting and theory papers, plus an in-depth research project. You can find out about all stages of the exam, as well as downloading past papers, by clicking below.
Latest News
The Institute of Masters of Wine announces seven new Masters of Wine
LONDON, UK, 20 AUGUST 2026 — The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is delighted to announce that seven new Masters of Wine (MWs) have joined the membership after successfully passing all three stages of the MW exam. Alice Archer MW (UK), Owain Hughes MW (UK), Weiran...
Features
‘6 MW vintage reflections: David Gleave MW and Arabella Woodrow MW, 1986 vintage
In 1986, three candidates passed the Master of Wine examination. The Institute was beginning to evolve and had recently opened its doors to candidates outside the UK wine trade. Forty years on, David Gleave MW and Arabella Woodrow MW reflect on what becoming an MW...
IWSC rejoins the Institute of Masters of Wine supporter community
LONDON, UK, 20 JULY 2026 — The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is delighted to welcome long-term collaborator, IWSC (International Wine and Spirit Competition), back as an official supporter. The relationship between the two organisations started in 2018, when IWSC...
Amorim Family Estates becomes official supporter of the Institute of Masters of Wine
LONDON, UK, 22 JUNE 2026 — The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is delighted to welcome Amorim Family Estates, comprising the Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Taboadella and Herdade Aldeia de Cima wine projects, as an official supporter. The projects are led...
Ten new voices of Australian wine are heading to the global stage
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 26 JUNE 2026 — From Margaret River to Orange, a new wave of Australian wine professionals is preparing to step into one of the world’s most influential wine events, bringing fresh ideas, new perspectives and a strong sense of purpose to the...
2026 Master of Wine exam questions and wines revealed
LONDON, UK, 16 JUNE 2026 — The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has released the list of wines and accompanying questions from the 2026 stage two Master of Wine (MW) exam and stage one assessment (S1A), which were undertaken by students in Adelaide, London and Napa...
‘6 MW vintage reflections: Serena Sutcliffe MW, 1976 vintage
In 1976, the Institute of Masters of Wine was still a relatively small and distinctly British institution. Two candidates became Masters of Wine that year, including the second female, at a time when women in senior roles across the wine trade were rare. Fifty years...
Judgement of Paris 50th anniversary masterclass with Château Montelena and the Institute of Masters of Wine
Information courtesy of Regine Lee MW On 2 March 2026, the Institute of Masters of Wine and Bancroft Wines hosted a tasting with Château Montelena to mark the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris. The setting was London’s historic Vintners’ Hall, and the...
In memoriam: Igor Ryjenkov MW
Became an MW 2003, died July 2026 Born in Russia, Igor had a degree in Journalism from the Moscow Institute for Foreign Relations. Having settled in Canada in early 90s, Igor spent the first few years in his new country as a duty officer in the operations department...
In memoriam: Paul Tholen MW
Became an MW 1984, died March 2026 Paul entered the trade in 1976, working for John Vaughan-Hughes at Luis Gordon & Sons. In 1979, he moved to Green’s Ltd as Buying Director. From 1981 to 1985 he worked with James Rogers at Cullen’s Stores where he ran the Wine...
Latest News
The Institute of Masters of Wine announces seven new Masters of Wine
LONDON, UK, 20 AUGUST 2026 — The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is delighted to announce that seven new Masters of Wine (MWs) have joined the membership after successfully passing all three stages of the MW exam. Alice Archer MW (UK), Owain Hughes MW (UK), Weiran...
IWSC rejoins the Institute of Masters of Wine supporter community
LONDON, UK, 20 JULY 2026 — The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is delighted to welcome long-term collaborator, IWSC (International Wine and Spirit Competition), back as an official supporter. The relationship between the two organisations started in 2018, when IWSC...
Ten new voices of Australian wine are heading to the global stage
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 26 JUNE 2026 — From Margaret River to Orange, a new wave of Australian wine professionals is preparing to step into one of the world’s most influential wine events, bringing fresh ideas, new perspectives and a strong sense of purpose to the...
Amorim Family Estates becomes official supporter of the Institute of Masters of Wine
LONDON, UK, 22 JUNE 2026 — The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is delighted to welcome Amorim Family Estates, comprising the Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Taboadella and Herdade Aldeia de Cima wine projects, as an official supporter. The projects are led...
Features
‘6 MW vintage reflections: David Gleave MW and Arabella Woodrow MW, 1986 vintage
In 1986, three candidates passed the Master of Wine examination. The Institute was beginning to evolve and had recently opened its doors to candidates outside the UK wine trade. Forty years on, David Gleave MW and Arabella Woodrow MW reflect on what becoming an MW...
‘6 MW vintage reflections: Serena Sutcliffe MW, 1976 vintage
In 1976, the Institute of Masters of Wine was still a relatively small and distinctly British institution. Two candidates became Masters of Wine that year, including the second female, at a time when women in senior roles across the wine trade were rare. Fifty years...
In memoriam: Igor Ryjenkov MW
Became an MW 2003, died July 2026 Born in Russia, Igor had a degree in Journalism from the Moscow Institute for Foreign Relations. Having settled in Canada in early 90s, Igor spent the first few years in his new country as a duty officer in the operations department...
Judgement of Paris 50th anniversary masterclass with Château Montelena and the Institute of Masters of Wine
Information courtesy of Regine Lee MW On 2 March 2026, the Institute of Masters of Wine and Bancroft Wines hosted a tasting with Château Montelena to mark the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris. The setting was London’s historic Vintners’ Hall, and the...
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